Jesus' Birth through the Eyes of the Wise men

VeggieTales Video Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Uses the DVD The Toy That Saved Christmas (Veggie Tales).

Scripture Reference:

Matthew 2

Leader Preparation:

• Read the scripture
• Watch the Video ahead of time
• Gather the materials

Materials List:

• TV/DVD player
• The Toy That Saved Christmas (Veggie Tales).
  
• Popcorn

Advanced Preparation Requirements:

• Preview the DVD and have it ready to play
• Make the popcorn or a special holiday treat

Presentation

Opening- Welcome and Lesson Introduction

Greet the children and introduce yourself and any helpers that you have.

Dig- Main Content and Reflection

Read the Scripture and discuss the following:

• Christmas is the day of the year that we remember and celebrate God’s giving his Son, Jesus, to the world.
• The wise men responded wisely, giving worship to Jesus and giving gifts (gold, etc.) to Jesus’ family.
• Herod responded cruelly. He gave no worship, and he tried to get more power and influence for himself.

Video presentation:

Show the VeggieTales Video The Toy That Saved Christmas.

Discuss the following:

• Mr. Nezzar’s TV commercial gave what message about Christmas?
  Answer: The (incorrect) meaning of Christmas is "getting more and more toys!"
• What did Mr. Nezzar tell his assistant about the meaning of Christmas?
  Answer: The (again incorrect) meaning of Christmas is "making more and more money!"
• What did Grandpa tell Louie and the others about the true meaning of Christmas?
  Answer: The meaning of Christmas is that God gave his only Son, Jesus, to the world.
• How did the parents discipline Mr. Nezzar?
  Answer: They gave him a gift—a teddy bear!
• How were Mr. Nezzar in the video and Herod in the Bible alike?
  Answer: Both tried to get more and more—more money, more power—because of Jesus’ birth.
• Discuss how faithful responses to God’s gift of baby Jesus are giving God worship, being thankful for Jesus, giving the best that we have to Jesus, and giving gifts to others in Jesus’ name.

Closing

• Summarize discussion and what children have learned.
• Go over the memory verses again.
• Encourage the children to come back next week for another workshop, and to invite their friends.
• Offer an age-appropriate prayer and/or involve children in the prayer.

A lesson written for Wilson Chapel UMC, Birmingham, IL

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